Despite delays due to unforeseen circumstances, I am pleased to report that excellent progress is being made with the revision of Leon Chaitow’s most popular and valued book: Recognising and Treating Breathing Pattern Disorders: A Multidisciplinary Approach. This is the second book in the Leon Chaitow Library of Bodywork and Movement Therapies that I have the honour of revising as Series Editor, with the first, Chaitow’s Muscle Energy Techniques 5e, having been warmly welcomed in 2023.
Sadly both Leon Chaitow, lead editor and author, and Dinah Bradley, one of the section editors, passed away since publication of the previous edition. They are replaced by Dr Rosalba Courtney and Tania Clifton-Smith, both leading experts and practitioners in breathing pattern disorders/dysfunctional breathing, with Dr Chris Gilbert as the only member of the original editorial team.
This edition will comprise a thorough revision of the previous text, in keeping with Leon Chaitow’s vision for a wholly multidisciplinary and evidence based handbook for practitioners across the allied health, and indeed, biomedical disciplines.
The revised structure makes it more reader-friendly, providing theoretical foundations, assessment and therapeutic protocols, and an updated and photocopiable self-help section.
The editors have provided a valuable clarification of nomenclature and definitions of a still poorly understood, but widespread condition. We have worked in an increased emphasis on whole-person care and the role of self-efficacy, while the edition integrates case studies and guidance for clinical practice.
This book will be valuable to all practitioners, encompassing both physical and psychological causes of non-pathological breathing dysfunction and is projected for publication in early 2026. All section editor chapters are in, over half the book is now ready, and submission will be completed in the next couple of months. We do not have the new cover yet (the image above is from the previous edition), so stay tuned for updates!
